There are many options and paths you can take to integrate VISUAL to your other business applications. Some are easy, and some are not so easy.... some may involve 3rd party integration tools/services and some may require custom programming with APIs and BODs.

However, there is one way where Infor couldn't make it any easier to integrate....

In this case, we can use a VMX file to interact/interface with VISUAL from another application. It involves creating a VMX file on the fly based on end-user contextual request on demand...I may have made that terminology up...lol...not sure if that really means what I trying to explain.

Here's an example...

You could have an excel file with a list of parts where you can click on a cell containing a Part ID to call up VISUAL's Material Planning Window for the demand and supply of that specific part - without having to leave Excel. This can be done behind the scenes using simple (more or less) VBA code that creates the VMX file and executes it.

Here's a visual of it in action

Double Click on Image for a better visual.

Let me walk you through it

We're going to create an Excel file with a list of parts that when you select a cell/row - it will open VISUAL Material Planning Window for that specific part.

Now I'm using Excel for my walk through - because it's easy and everyone uses Excel. But you can do this with any application where you can program simple code to create a VMX file based on user input.

Assuming we are on VISUAL 9 - (if you are not on Visual 9 - why aren't you?)

Create an Excel File containing a list of parts with the following columns:

Column A: Site ID (required)

Column B: Part ID (required)

Column C: Description

Column D: UM

Column E: Qty

Be sure to populate the list with parts starting on Row 2

Open the Visual Basic module of Excel (under the Developer Tab). If you don't have the Developer Tab - you will need to enable it - go to File > Options.

Insert the following code in the SelectionChange event/procedure of the worksheet.

Caden using his Google Home Mini - He's asking the same question, but in his case, it's to build up his youTube channel - "Caden's World"

Google may not be plugged into your operations....yet.

BUT if it were, it would likely answer you with results generated from the BOM Xploder.

The BOM Exploder is a VISUAL extension tool that quickly lets you know on whether you have all the materials to complete a job (work order) - right here, right now.

The tool looks at ALL of your jobs (works orders) in VISUAL, drills down through all levels deep, looks to future supply and demand of parts - and tells you if you have any shortages anywhere throughout the multi-level BOM - even if parts of that BOM have their own engineering master that hasn't been released yet

One of the great things about the BOM Xploder is that it allows you to work at the Job Level rather than at the Part Level like the Material Planning Window.

I know how arduous it can be going down the rabbit hole in the Material Planning Window chasing parts that may cause you grief in production.

The BOM Xploder gives you an overview of all your jobs to see what can be built or not based on what's available or expected to be available. The Jobs are color-coded to providing you more information on whether you can build or not:

BLACK → You can build right now

RED→ Part Shortages - no supply purchase orders and no supply work orders

BLUE→ Part Shortages - supply purchase order and supply work orders in place

ORANGE→ You can build now - BUT you would be stealing from other jobs

Static screenshot does not do this justice Contact me for a demo! -

You can drill down to investigate further as well as jump directly into the Material Planning Window, Manufacturing Window and Work Order Traveller

A "bonus" feature allows you to view all the parts that are causing jobs to be late. This list can be considered your Hot or Expedite List as it prioritizes the parts based on the number of jobs they are causing to be late.

It's definitely a tool you should consider if you have deep BOMs and spending a significant amount of time in the Material Planning Window to investigation possible part shortages.

Ping me if you are interested in hearing more about BOM Xploder!

Now full disclosure :-)

BOM Xploder is product developed by the great team at Synergy Resources who I work for. So you may consider this post as being biased - but I do think it's a great VISUAL extension and it's currently being used in the community with great success.

If you have or know of a great product or solution for VISUAL - I'm interested in speaking with you and showcasing it

Do you often find yourself opening the same VISUAL windows after signing in? It'd be nice if you can have VISUAL open them automatically.

VISUAL doesn't have this as a built-in feature - but that's not to say we can't make it happen.

We can use a VMX file to achieve this.

FYI:

VMX files are shortcuts to specific records in VISUAL. You may have come across them if you have ever used the Send To feature in VISUAL - they will be attached to emails for recipients to open. VMX files are associated to the VISUAL application - so the system will know what to do when the user double clicks on them.

The VMX file is basically a text file that VISUAL reads and executes. If you look at the contents of the file (using a text editor like Notepad), you will notice that all VMX files start with LSASTART. The next line indicates the module (program) to open and the document id to retrieve.

For example, if we wanted the VMX file to open Customer Order Id 123897, the file would contain:

LSASTARTVMORDENT~123897

VMORDENT refers to Customer Order Entry window - which is the VMORDENT.EXE executable file. The 123897 is the customer order record to retrieve. The tilde("~") is used to separate the program file and the record.

Now why am I explaining this?

Well, we can use this in our VISUAL hack. The VMX file does not limit us to the number of programs to open at once. And the document id reference is optional - meaning we can just reference the program without having it retrieve a record.

And another thing, because the VMX file is associated with VISUAL - the system will check whether you are signed in. If you are not, the Sign In window will appear before opening your windows.

So, all you need to do is create a VMX file with all the VISUAL windows you want to have opened after signing in. This VMX will now be your Shortcut to Signing into VISUAL (as oppose to your standard sign in shortcut pointing to the VM.exe file)

Here's a quick Walk-Through

Create a new file using your favorite text editor (like Notepad)

Enter "LSASTART" on the first line

On the next line(s), enter the program name(s) of the VISUAL window(s) you want opened as part of your startup. For example, if you want Part Maintenance, Customer Order Entry and Material Planning Window to be part of your start up - you should have the following:

LSASTARTVMPRTMNTVMORDENTVMPLMWIN

If you are not sure of the program name, you can look this up by calling up the window in VISUAL and selecting "About..." under the Help menu.

Save the file to your desktop. Be sure to save it with a "VMX" extension.

At lastly, make sure VMX files are associated to VISUAL.

To do this, right click on your VMX file - and select OPEN WITH from the popup menu. Select Infor VISUAL from list of applications (and check the checkbox to always use the application) - and click the OK to confirm

Oh, I'm confident you have. I'm also betting that for the most part you responded YES, YES, YEEESSSS!!!

In fact, for some of you, it's probably so second nature you don't even notice what's being asked and hitting the ENTER key.

These prompts mean well - and they may have stopped you from making a mistake and made you seriously think of what your doing - but for the most part they are annoying and slowing you down - and yes, you know what you're doing!

You can prevent these prompts and skip over them by configuring your preference settings.

Your preference settings can be found in Preference Maintenance under the ADMIN menu.

The two settings that affect these prompts are in the ManufacturingWindow section: SkipMsgLoadOpTypeDef and SkipMsgPartAlreadyUsed

If you have these two entries with a value of 'Y' - VISUAL will skip over these prompts and you can now speed through your builds

One of the many options you have available to enhance your VISUAL User eXperience!

For as long as I can remember, the user community has been looking for ways to schedule and run certain VISUAL processes automatically and un-attended; Processes like Costing in Costing Utilities, MRP and the Concurrent Scheduler.

Earlier versions of VISUAL did not have this built-in feature - leaving many users to resort to creative ways and workarounds to accomplish this – some good and some not so good. Most involved 3rd party applications such as AutoIT and Automate.

But now with VISUAL 8 and up, using AutoRun Services, you can schedule and automate the following:

Running Concurrent Scheduler

Printing of Work Order Travellers

Costing (Cost Utilities)

Running Material Requirements Planning

Updating the Reporting Database Tables (for Dashboard Analytics)

Setting up the schedule can be done within each window of the specific process – under the FILE menu.

For example, to setup an automated schedule for the Concurrent Scheduler, select “Set as Scheduled…” item from the FILE menu of the Concurrent Scheduler window

Concurrent Scheduler > File > Set as Scheduled...

The following window will appear. The left area are the parameters that you would typically set for running the Concurrent Scheduler. The right area is where you set the parameters to schedule the running of the Concurrent Scheduler – the fields are fairly straight forward.

Also note that you can have the process run several times a day – up to 6 times - which is great if you have lots of activity (transactions) going on (inventory movement, labor reporting, shipping/receiving, etc)...it helps in keeping the system up to date (where needed).

Now, out of the box, these services are not installed...

Don't fret - there are some setups involved but it's not overly complicated

Each automated process has its own service executable file – which are typically found in the VISUAL executables directory

Service EXE

What does this service do?

How many times do you need install this service?

VRDTASVC.EXE

Loads data into the Reporting database tables

Once per database

VMSCHSVC.EXE

Runs a schedule

Once per site

VMDBRSVC.EXE

Runs a schedule in a DBR-enabled database

Once per site

VRPTSVC.EXE

Once per database

Once per database

VMCSTSVC.EXE

Runs costing

Once per site

VMMRPSVC.EXE

Runs MRP

Once per site

You may have to go through the installation procedure more than once for a given service if you are a multi-site operation.

I'll walk you through an installation of the Costing Service.

On the computer or server that will be running the service, go to the directory that contains the VISUAL executables and find the file VMCSTSVR.EXE (this is the service executable file to run the Costing Utilities as a service)

Right Click on the VMCSTSVR.EXE and "Run as administrator"

You will then be prompted to Sign Into VISUAL. You can use any VISUAL User ID as long as it has the permissions to the respective area (in this case the Costing Utilities).

In the following window, you'll need to specify the following:Site ID: The Site to which the service will be running against.Log File Directory: Directory Location to store the log files for this servicePolling Interval: Frequency the service checks for updates - I just accept the defaultLog Level: You can specify the amount of details you want to capture when the service is running. The recommended level is to set to None (logs just basic information - timestamps, etc). Refer to the VISUAL manual if you would like more info on this

Hit the Install Service Button

Click Yes at the following prompt

Then CLOSE the window

The costing service is now running!!

You can verify this by going into the Services Console in Windows and scroll through the list for the service. In this case, the service is called Infor Visual Costing Service (database name:site id)

Now that the Costing Service is running - you can now set the schedule to run Costings.

Remember how? ... Go to the Costing Utilities window and click on Costing Service Schedule under the FILE menu.

Just got back from the Infor Partner Conference last week....and I gotta tell you that I was floored on all the new features and functions that are coming down the pipe with VISUAL 8. Rich Lagoy and Frank Maglio did a great job on presenting (and demo'ing!) VISUAL 8 and discussing the products' roadmap.

Here are some of the highlights:

Macros will be managed within the database

VISUAL API Suite - That's right, the COM objects are back! They will be upgraded and incorporated into a full API suite and part of the VISUAL core. Oh, did I mention that they will be supported and documented? What does this mean to the VISUAL user? Integrating to VISUAL will be easier, faster, more secure.

Built-in Automation of Processes - You will now be able to autorun Global Scheduler, Costing, MRP and VISUAL Analytics

New UI, Navigation, and Document Information Capture

New and improved Graphical Document Lifecycle.

You want more drill down capabilities? You got 'em - even at the order line level!

Source & Target Navigation - Easily walk through the lifecycle of a document to view upstream or downstream relationships. For example, from the Customer Order you can jump to the corresponding quote and/or the packlist(s).

Activities and Reminders - You can now create and log activities on all documents - allowing you the ability to categorize and record various “activities”. In addition, users can set follow-up reminders associated with these activities.

Enhanced Query Tool - Yes this little tool is undergoing a much needed facelift. You will be able drag and drop tables and fields into the query window, export results to Excel and save to the database.

Wait until you see the View Panels. Major Enhancements! They can display data graphically which you can also drill-down into for details. So many features have been added that each document can have it's own living dashboard/KPIs metrics.

Dashboards, Dashboards and more Dashboards - Remember EIS? Those days are long gone and forgotten! Amazing stuff - and very much needed.

VISUAL Mobile Automation

Customer Sponsored Feature Enhancements - You've asked for them - so you're getting them. Thank you very much. These are just a few - but there's many:

I should add a disclaimer here only to let you know that what was presented on VISUAL 8 may change - many factors can affect Infor’s product development plans and the nature, content and timing of future product releases, all of which remain in the sole discretion of Infor.

VISUAL allows you the capability to setup a part to be automatically issued to a work order as labor is reported against an operation. To do this there are a couple of settings that you need to have in place for this to happen. At a minimum, you need to flag the part as being AUTO ISSUE and specify the Warehouse and Location to issue from. These settings can be found in the PART MAINTENANCE module

Part Maintenance in VISUAL 7.1.2

Now you may have situations where you need the ability to auto issue a part from multiple locations. From the onset it may appear that you are limited to only having one - but it is possible to configure VISUAL to have more.

Here's how...

Call up the part in PART MAINTENANCE.

Go into "Warehouse Locations..." from the MAINTAIN menu to bring up all the warehouse locations assigned to the part

Now your first instinct would be to check the checkbox in the Auto Issue column. DON'T because you may find yourself in a frustrating game of "Whack-A-Mole"! Go ahead and try - you'll see what I mean.

A Classic!

Instead, simply select the checkbox under the Default Part Auto Issue column (the AUTO ISSUE checkbox will check automatically). Once you have all your auto issue locations set - save and close the window

Now you have configured the part to have multiple auto issue locations. The only step left is indicating which location VISUAL should auto issue from on your work orders and/or engineering masters. You can do this in the MATERIAL (REQUIREMENT) card of the auto issued part in the WO/EM under the PLANNING tab.

Note: The locations available will only be those that belong to the WAREHOUSE specified on the Work Order Header. Also, if you choose not to override the location - then VISUAL will auto issue from the Default Auto Issue Warehouse and Location in PART MAINTENANCE.

Don't you hate it when you find out that one of your VISUAL users is using an old version of a macro? Wouldn't it be great if you could modify a macro and it would instantly be deployed across your VISUAL network?

Well you can...and here's how you can do it.

The solution involves 2 sets of macros.

The first set of MACROS (let's call them your ACTION macros) are your main macros that contain the scripts that account for your business logic and rules. Place these ACTION macros in a centralized location on your network where your VISUAL users have access to.

The second set of macros (let's call them your SHELL macros) will have the same file name as your ACTION macros but will contain a script that will run it's respective ACTION macro. These SHELL macros are the ones that should be place on each VISUAL workstation (and/or profile) in their respective VISUAL local directory. You will only have to configure these SHELL macros once for each workstation.

Once the ACTION & SHELL macros are in place - any modifications you do to the ACTION macros will immediately be deployed in your VISUAL environment because your SHELL macros are pointing to the ACTION macros and executing them.

Say what?!? How do you get these SHELL macros to run the ACTION macros?

I'll demonstrate with a simple example (much easier to explain)

Let's say you have an OnSave macro in Part Maintenance that checks to see if the user has populated the PRODUCT CODE field.

Your ACTION macro would contain something similar to the following:

So this ACTION macro would have the filename "VMPRTMNT_OnSave.vms". You will want to place this ACTION macro file on your network where your VISUAL users have access to. In this example - let's assume it's stored in location \\SHARED\MACROS

Now let's create it's respective SHELL macro, which will also be an OnSave macro, BUT it will contain the following script to call the ACTION macro.